posted 12-03-2003 09:47 AM            

The goblet is a typical mid-century presentation piece and unmarked except for an incuse "Coin" on the base.

It is 6 1/2" tall and decorated with a vaguely colonial town/country scenes.

The central panel is engraved Presented / to / C H Kimball / By / The Junior Class / of PSN 44 / Brooklyn

Charles Henry Kimball was born on 25 Dec 1828 at Rumford Point ME to Porter and Nancy (Kimball) Kimball, through whom he was a cousin of the silversmiths Alva, Leverett, and William Lowe Kimball. A precocious child, he commenced his career as a school teacher while only 17 years of age. He was a good scholar and had a natural tact for teaching. In 1850, he secured a position as a teacher in a large boarding school in New York. Later he became a principle at a school in Brooklyn, New York City. In 1860, he became interested in politics and in 1861, was chosen alderman in the largest and most influential ward in Brooklyn. Due to politics, the school board removed him from teaching and school management. Thus, through his influence, a law was passed in New York, prohibiting school boards from dismissing teachers on the account of their religious or political beliefs. His removal from the school system proved to be a blessing, for he became a real estate speculator and stock broker on Wall Street doing a successful business as C. H. Kimball & Company. Here, in later life, is the gentleman

From the history, the cup can be safely dated to the 1855-1860 period. It is unfortunate that it is unsigned, but perhaps one of our sharp-eyed readers will see in the decoration the work of a known firm.

posted 12-03-2003 02:35 PM            

Embossed or heavily chased designs on silver are also very hard to photograph - they did a nice job with this one.